Page 87 - Esperanza Rising_flip

never be able to forgive myself for the things I said.

Esperanza kept her mind off Miguel by working hard and concentrating on Isabel. When Esperanza saw a
lug of early peaches come into the shed, she set aside a bag to bring home to her. She just had to have

them, especially today.

As she walked down the row of cabins after work, she could see Isabel in the distance, waiting for her.

Isabel sat up straight, primly, with her small hands folded in her lap, her eyes searching the row. When
she saw Esperanza, she jumped up and ran toward her. As she got closer, Esperanza could see the tear

streaks on her cheeks.

Isabel threw her arms around Esperanza’s waist. “I did not win Queen of the May!” she said, sobbing
into the folds of her skirt. “I had the best grades but the teacher said she chose on more than just grades.”

Esperanza wanted desperately to make it up to her. She picked her up and held her. “I’m sorry, Isabel.

I’m so sorry that they did not choose you.” She put her down and took her hand and they walked back to

the cabin.
“Have you told the others? Your mother?”

“No,” she sniffed. “They are not home yet. I was supposed to go to Irene and Melina’s but I wanted to

wait for you.”
Esperanza took her into the cabin and sat on the bed next to her. “Isabel, it does not matter who won.

Yes, you would have made a beautiful queen but that would have lasted for only one day. A day goes by

fast, Isabel. And then it is over.”
Esperanza bent down, pulled her valise from under the bed, and opened it. The only thing left inside

was the porcelain doll. She had shown it to Isabel many times, telling her the story of how Papa had given

it to her. Although a little dusty, the doll still looked lovely, its eyes hopeful like Isabel’s usually were.
“I want you to have something that will last more than one day,” said Esperanza. She lifted the doll

from the valise and handed it to Isabel. “To keep as your own.”

Isabel’s eyes widened. “Oh n … no, Esperanza,” she said, her voice still shaky and her face wet with

tears. “Your papa gave her to you.”
Esperanza stroked Isabel’s hair. “Do you think my papa would want her buried inside a valise all this

time with no one playing with her? Look at her. She must be lonely. She is even getting dusty! And look at

me. I am much too old for dolls. People would make fun of me if I carried her around, and you know how
I hate it when people laugh at me. Isabel, you would be doing me and my papa a favor if you would love

her.”

“Really?” said Isabel.

“Yes,” said Esperanza. “And I think that you should take her to school to show all your friends, don’t